Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox – 9/19/20 MLB Pick, Odds, and Prediction

The Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds meet Saturday in MLB action from Great American Ball Park. 

This will be the second matchup in a three-game weekend series between the White Sox and Reds. In the set opener on Friday, Cincinnati was able to get their 2020 record back to .500 with a nice 7-1 victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks and MLB predictions at Sports Chat Place. 

The White Sox were out-hit 8-4 in the loss on Friday, coming up with just one run for their offensive effort. Nick Madrigal was the only Chicago player with more than one hit, going 2-for-4 with a run. Starting pitcher Jonathan Stiever went 2.2 innings with five hits, six earned and two walks with four homers allowed. 

For the Saturday starting pitcher role, the White Sox will bring out Dallas Keuchel. In his nine starts this season, Keuchel is 6-2 with a 2.19 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 53.1 innings of work. In his MLB career, Keuchel is 90-73 with a 3.61 ERA and 1068 Ks in 1355.1 innings. 

Over on the Reds’ side, Friday starting pitcher Tyler Mahle went 5.2 innings with four hits, one earned, two walks and eight strikeouts in the win. Mahle is now 2-2 on the season. Joey Votto had a great night for Cincinnati with three hits, a solo homer and two RBI. 

In the Saturday starter slot, the Reds are going with Trevor Bauer. In his nine starts this season, Bauer is 4-3 with a 1.71 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 58.0 innings. Over his MLB career, Bauer is 74-63 with a 3.93 ERA and 1262 Ks in 1175.0 innings. 

The White Sox are 4-0 in their last four during game two of a series and 6-1 in their last seven games following a loss. Chicago is 21-5 in their last 26 games versus a team with a losing record and 23-7 in their last 30 games overall. 

Meanwhile, the Reds are 5-0 in their last five home games and 6-2 in their last eight interleague games as a favorite. Cincinnati is 6-0 in their last six on grass and 2-5 in their last seven interleague games. 

Pick: I’m going with the White Sox here. Keuchel is coming off the 10-day injured list with back spasms but should be fine here. He’ll also be in line to start Game 2 of the Wild Card Series as Chicago looks ahead to the postseason. Keuchel hasn’t allowed an earned run in September and he’s been a key piece in the White Sox’ surprising surge this season. Bauer won’t be a slouch on the other side obviously, and it’ll be tough for the Sox to manage much offense early. Cincinnati has made a late push themselves, but I think Chicago takes this one behind Keuchel.